Abstract
Surface passivation of silicon substrates using atomic layer deposited Al2O3 and HfO2 thin films are assessed. Al2O3 and HfO2 dielectric layers with various thicknesses were deposited on both sides of n-type (100) FZ-Si substrates (resistivity 4 – 6 O-cm) at 200°C by atomic layer deposition (ALD) system. The effective excess carrier lifetime of as-deposited oxide/Si/oxide structure was measured by microwave-photoconductivity-decay (MWPCD) measurement technique and it was observed that the thicker ALD dielectrics lead to higher effective excess carrier lifetime and better surface passivation. The measurements showed average excess carrier lifetime values of 302 µs and 347 µs for as-deposited Al2O3 and HfO2 passivated Si substrates with 150 ALD cycles, respectively. MWPCD and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements suggest that as-deposited ALD HfO2 layer leads to a better surface passivation compared to as-deposited ALD Al2O3 layer. Further, the results suggest that there exist fixed negative charges in the bulk of the ALD dielectrics and this contributes to the field effect passivation of the silicon surfaces.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G. Agostinelli, A. Delabie, P. Vitanoz, Z. Alexieva, H. F. W. Dekkers, S.De Wolf, and G. Beaucarne, Sol. Energy. Mater. Sol. Cells 90, 3438 (2006).
B.Hoex, S.B.S. Heil, M. C. M. van de Sanden, and W. M. M. Kessels, Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 042112 (2006).
B. Hoex, J. Schmidt, R. Bock, P. P. Altermatt, M. C. M. van de Sanden, and W. M. M. Kessels, Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 112107 (2007)
B. Hoex, J. J. H. Gielis, M. C. M. van de Sanden, and W. M. M. Kesselsb, J. Appl. Phys. 104, 113703 (2008).
B. Hoex, J.Schmidt, P. Pohl, M.C.M. van de Sanden, and W.M. M. Kessels, J. Appl. Phys. 104, 044903 (2008)
J. Schmidt, A.Merkle, R. Brendel, B. Hoex. M.C.M. van de Sanden, W.M.M. Kessels, Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl. 2008; 16:461–466.
J. J. H. Gielis, B. Hoex, M. C. M. van de Sanden, and W. M. M. Kessels, Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 253504 (2008).
J. J. H. Gielis, B. Hoex, M. C. M. van de Sanden, and W. M. M. Kessels, J. Appl. Phys. 104, 073701 (2008)
M.Taguchi, H.Sakata, Y. Yoshimine, E.Maruyama, A.Terakawa, M.Tanaka, S.Kiyama, 31st IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2005. p.p. 866–871.
M. Farrokh-Baroughi and S. Sivoththaman, IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, Vol. 28, p.p. 575–577, 2007.
A. Londergan, O. Van der Straten, S. De Gendt, J. Elam, S. Bent, S. Kang , Atomic Layer Deposition 3, Proceedings: Atomic Layer Deposition Application Symposium (Washington, 2007).
K. Matsunaga, T. Tanaka, T. Yamamoto, and Y. Ikuhara, Phys. Rev. B 68, 085110 (2003).
W. J. Zhu, T. P. Ma, S. Zafar, and T. Tamagawa, IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, vol. 23, pp597–599.
A. G. Aberle, S. Glunz, and W. Warta, J. Appl. Phys. 71 (9), May 1992.
Dieter K. Schroeder, Semiconductor Material and Device Characterization (Wiley, New York, 2006).
E. H. Nicollian, and J. R. Brews, MOS Physics and Technology (Wiley, New Jersey, 2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, J., Farrokh-Baroughi, M., Shanmugam, M. et al. Passivation of Silicon Surfaces Using Atomic Layer Deposited Metal Oxides. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1153, 717 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1153-A07-17
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1153-A07-17